West Midlands attractions call on Government to support leisure industry
They also want the VAT reduction for tourism sector to stay at 5%
Last updated 18th Feb 2021
Alton Towers Resort, Warwick Castle, the National Sea Life Centre, Legoland Discovery Centre and the Bear Grylls Adventure are appealing for industry support from the Government.
Merlin Entertainments is calling for:
- Indoor entertainment centres to be treated the same as non-essential retail when it comes to the future easing of restrictions
- The reduction in VAT for the tourism sector to be maintained at 5 per cent
- Current business rates holiday to be extended
In a statement Merlin Entertainments say, following the end of the second lockdown before Christmas, indoor entertainment centres had to remain closed, despite their multitude of COVID-19 safety precautions, and outdoor entertainment centres, whilst being able to remain open, were only able to do so in a very limited capacity, with accommodation and many of their indoor attractions being closed.
Meanwhile, non-essential retail (shops, gyms, hairdressers and garden centres) were allowed to open fully including in Tier 3 areas.
This is despite retail outlets having hundreds of customers through their doors, with no records kept, and in contrast to Merlin’s attractions where all tickets are pre-purchased and visitor contact details are provided.
Among the comprehensive COVID-secure precautions in place at Merlin’s attractions are pre-booking, temperature checks, social distancing and the wearing of masks by guests and team members.
Operations Director of Alton Towers Resort and Chair of the Heart of England Attractions Group, Francis Jackson, said:
“We are fully behind the national effort to overcome COVID-19. But as the Government begins to look at reopening the economy, we are calling for entertainment attractions like Alton Towers Resort to be treated the same as non-essential retail - and when they are allowed to reopen we should also be able to fully open, including all of our accommodation and COVID-safe indoor attractions, as well.
“Our guests have always been able to spend quality time and create lasting memories with their loved ones at our attractions and now, more than ever, Merlin has an important role to play in promoting the wellbeing of our visitors in a safe and low-risk environment.
“Our attractions can help promote healthier, happier and more connected communities, whilst addressing many of the most pressing health, social and environmental challenges we will face following the COVID-19 pandemic. We know it will be an invaluable benefit to these communities for us to reopen as soon as it’s safe to do so.
“To enable our guests to get back to making memories with us as soon possible, we are also asking the Government to keep the reduction in the VAT rate at 5 per cent and to extend the business rates holiday.”
Nationally, the tourism sector employs 3.2m people directly and 1.5m in the supply chain, accounting for 11 per cent of UK employment and 6 per cent of GDP.
In the UK alone, Merlin employs more than 10,000 people directly.
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